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About The Course:

Achilles tendon repair surgery is a procedure carried out to fix a damaged Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body, and it connects the muscles of the calf to the heel. A ruptured or damaged tendon results in pain and swelling near the heel making movement difficult and painful. 

This VR simulation for Achilles Tendon Repair is designed to help surgeons practice the procedure of performing the surgery in a safe and controlled environment with a virtual patient. With both training and assessment modes, learners can perform the procedure and assess themselves on their performance.

Learning Objectives:
  • Identifying incision location accurately 
  • Employing clinically approved technique to isolate ruptured tendon 
  • Suturing ruptured tendon using the Krakow technique 
  • Reinforcing repair to reapproximate frayed ends
Reference:
  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2022). Achilles tendon repair.
  • Mayo Clinic. (2023). Achilles tendon rupture.
  • Multi-player
    Sessions
  • Physics-based Interaction

Core Skills Training

Achilles Tendon Repair

As a part of this Achilles Tendon Repair surgical procedure, the user will begin by making a longitudinal incision along the medial edge of the Achilles tendon. After cleaning the site, the learners will retract the skin and dissect around the tendon to isolate the rupture. The Krakow suture technique is used to repair the tendon. The repair is reinforced using additional suture to reapproximate some larger frayed ends. The procedure is completed after suturing subcutaneous tissues and skin.
All necessary affordances are provided to complete the procedure with efficiency.

Training

With prompts, guidance and affordances learners are hand-held through the process to practice the procedure in a virtual environment with a virtual patient.  

  • Photorealistic virtual environment  
  • Physics-based interactions  
  • Detailed instructions  
  • Adequate affordances to assist in task completion 

Assessment

Test acquired skills to perform the procedures from start to finish without prompts. An incorrect step will take the learner back to the start to start afresh.  

  • Live scoring  
  • Instant feedback  
  • Adequate affordances for efficient performance  
  • Time tracking to monitor activity completion